Bomb release mechanism



Oct. 16, 1951 A. T. POTTER BOMB RELEASE MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 15, 1946 INVEN TOR. flZZe/Z 2732/1- Oct. 16, 1951 A. 'r. POTTER BOMB RELEASE MECHANISM Filed March 1a, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 T Tax/V5 V6,

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Oct. 16, 1951 A. T. POTTER BOMB RELEASE MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 13, 1946 INVENTOR. flliwi 77' fli Oct. 16, 1951 A. Ti POTTER BOMB RELEASE MECHANISM Filed March 13, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. flZefZ Tzfiefl' BY Mew 2 avail! FTTZF V YS.

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BOMB RELEASE MECHANISM Filed March 13, 1946 8 Sheets-Shet s 44 I 65 A I m 1 EL g? f W I 1 5 45 24 /az wa! I v I p l A25) INVENTOR. 5216/? 7 7 022 64 Patented Oct. 16, 1951 worth Manufacturing Corporation,

Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 13, 1946, Serial No. 654,167

6 Claims.

' The invention relates to bomb equipment for airplanes and it has particular relation to a shackle for releasably supporting bombs.

It is generally appreciated that a bomb shackle should be of such character that the bomb may be released instantaneously as otherwise it would be difficult to attain accuracy in the dropping of bombs. It is also realized that the shackle must be capable of supporting heavy bombs while still permitting this instantaneous release. The present invention is concerned with providing a bomb shackle for accomplishing these results and furthermore in providing a shackle which will occupy a very small space in the plane.

An object of the invention therefore is to provide a compact bomb supporting shackle which is extremely strong so as to support heavy bombs while still being releasable instantaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shackle of this character which may be loaded easily and quickly to the end that the bombs may be placed in the plane and suspended by the shackle in an emcient manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means of pulling the firing pins from the bomb when it is released or for allowing the pin to remain in the bomb, depending upon whether or not the operator desires the bomb to explode or to fall without exploding.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, from the the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view on a larger scale showing interior working parts of the shackle generally of the right half thereof as viewed from the underside of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but illustrating the mechanism in the opposite end of the shackle.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the shackle in a released condition.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the shackle in a bomb released condition.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line l! of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 in Figure 2.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line Ill-46 of Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line lI-ll "of Figure 2.

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line I2-l2 of Figure 4.

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line I3l3 of Figure 6.

Figure 14 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line Id-M of Figure 6 but showing the pin releasing mechanism in another position.

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 showing the pin removing means in a condition where the pin is allowed to stay in the bomb.

Figure 16 is an end elevation of the shackle as seen from the right hand end of Figure 1.

Figure 17 is a plan of the structure shown in Figure 1; I

Figure 18 is a side view similar to Figure 6 but showing the right hand end of the shackle in a bomb holding condition;

Figure 19 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 11, taken on the line [9-19 thereof, and

Figure 20 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 11, taken on the line 2020 thereof.

The shackle shown in Figure 1 comprisesa casing in having side walls H and I2 as seen for instance in Figure 5 and this casing s adapted to be mounted in an airplane for supporting bombs. The bombs are suspended from hooks l5 and I6 pivotally mounted on pins H and 18 extending through the casing and the edge of the casing is notched as indicated at l9 and 20 for accommodating eyes on the bombs which are engaged by the hooks l5 and Hi. When the hooks l5 and I6 are swung counterclockwise about pivots I1 and I8, the bomb will be released. It generally might be said that the invention is concerned with a means for moving the hooks I5 and I6 into bomb supporting positions as seen in Figure 1, an extremely sensitive means for holding the hooks in such position and an instantaneously operable means for releasing the hooks.

Referring to Figures 2 and 8 jointly, the hook [5 above its pivot I! has bifurcations 2| and 22 and these have openings at their upper ends which receive a pivot pin 24. Between the bifurcations, a pair of links 25 and 26 are pivotally connected to the pin 24 and maintained in spaced relation by the hub 21 of an arm presently to be described Still directing attention to Figure 3, the hook I6 is urged in a clockwise direction by a spring 32 encircling the pivot I8 and having one end 33 engaging a bracket 34 fastened in the casing and having its other end indicated at 35 hooked over the extension 28. This spring serves to help move the hooks into bomb releasing position and to hold them in released positions until the bombs are to be connected to the shackle.

In nn t on i h the l adi 9 t Depth it should be understood that the 'bombshave eyes engageable with the hooks and when the bomb is raised to loading position, the eyes first press against lips or projections 35 on the hook. This causes the hooks to swing counterclockwise and the lower ends of the hooks to enter the eyes. As will be seen presently, this counterclockwise movement of the hooks acts to cook the shackle also so that the hooks may be released instantaneously when the bombs are to be released. The automatic movement of the hooks to bomb engagement positions when the bombs are raised and also automatic cooking of the shackle at the same time is very important because the persons loading the bombs need only to elevate them so as to cause the eyes to engage projections and move the hooks. It is to be observed that the guiding slots I9 and 20 guide the eyes on the bombs into engagement with the projections and into such positions that the hook ends of the hooks will enter the eyes 'The hooks also may be manually cocked for testing principally by a wire loop 4! shown in Figs. 2 and 1'7, extending into the casing and fastened b a pin 4| to a slide 42. This pin, as seen in Figure 17, projects through a slot 43 in the casing wall and at opposite sides of the wall the pin has washers 44 so that the slide is guided along the wall. Such slide 42 as shown by Figure 11 particularly has an inwardly directed'projection 45 extending past the link 25 and this pro- 'ection is adapted to engage a roller 41 shown in Figure 10 which is mounted on a pin 48 extending through links 25 and 26. It should be evident that if the loop is pulled, the projection 46 will engage the roller 41 and pull the links 25 and 26 and hence move both hooks. The-parts as seen in Figures 2 and 3 have already been moved such as by pulling the loop 40 and the slide has returned to its original position. This return movement of the slide is effected by coil spring shown by Figures 2, 3, and 17 particularly and such spring has one end hooked about a projection 49 on the slide and its other end hooked about a projection 50 on the casing wall.

Now referring to Figures 2, 4 and 5. which show the retaining and cooking means in better detail, it may be noted first that an arm 5| is pivoted on a pin 52 in the casing and this arm has an end 53 disposed along the links. Adjacent to this arm 3 h b a rin h o ed ov r n, end; e

tion of the pawl and looped about one end of a 4 pin 58 extending through the links 25 and 26. Hence the pawl normally is urged into a position where the shoulder 56 will engage or pick up the end 53 of arm 5| when the loop 40 is pulled.

The arm 5| is in the form of a bell crank and it has a second arm 59 beyond the pivot 52 and this second arm has a slot 6| which receives a roller 60 on one end of a pin {52. The pin 52 extends through one arm 64 of a second bell crank pivoted or a pin 65 mounted in the casing and the end of arm 64 is disposed between a pair of links 61 and 68. also pivoted on pin 62 as shown by Figure 5. The links 61 and 58 at their other ends straddle a link 10 and a pin pivotally connects such endsv of the links. Link 10 in turn at its other end is pivoted on a pin 13 mounted in the casing wall.

The second bell crank has a projection 11 adapt to engage one endof a bowed spring 18 and this spring has its other end indicated at extending partially aroundthe-pivot 52. A second arm on the bell crank indicated at 83 has a pin 84 on its free endand this pin projects upwardly into a slot 85 formed in a latch 86 and has a'sleeve roller 81' for contacting the sides of the slot. It

will be noted that the slot has two portions angled towards each other and that the Walls of the slot at their junction form a v-shaped shoulder 88 as shown best by Figure 2. The latch 88 is pivoted to the casing as indicated at 89 and thetre end of the latch has a projeotionSB which is adapted t a e a a side n 1 P t n p l from a turnable type solenoid '93. The solenoid is urged counterclockwise to the position shown by a spring and when energized it turns sufficiently the other way to move the pin 9| past the end 953 of the latch so as to release the latter] It will be seen later that the solenoid can be moved meeh hi ell als if de d:

It may be generally stated new that when the two links 25 and 2|i are movedto the left" by swinging hooks ,5 and [t counterclockwise as n in F u 4, he sheh er 56 w l en e the end. 5 3 of arm 5| and cause it to turn countere kw e a u th ii q 5.2 In urn. the s o ed e 6| f ar 5. will. m re t e. pin 2 an v me o e pin ilwil 18 h arm. t e e about the pivot 65 and. I so cause the pin Hand m W o swing abeut he ivot. 13- M m of th a m ,4- t hei r ve ll caus the P 84- th mo n he s 85 and. due o h s a e the slot the pin will move the latch as in such manner as to cause the end 375 to move towards the center sele e d 9 and s i in. sle k.-

i of he telenei unt l it d e the Then p g re u ns the i he nqs tie it a before and the pin will then retain the latch in Pet i n n n i re- 2 h s evemeh of the p ts wil ad. th j ewed in e end i rin is the h t Pi Q ree e n eeta in pesition with respect to the latch 5the spring will aet q re ease th Pa ts ehd e t e lateh n 90 a ainst the strai ht-tide efpi-h 9t- So far this arrangement will not act to hold the ho ks. l5 n Hi an 3 251 an 25- n he Pe i n wn by 'ffl re 2.. @291: $5 11 links and QK W l endre uw .heeeh. the l tehih mechanism fr m. arm 5t te ene dttwillrem in iha cockedp s eht The latehihe m mbe 8.6 b the lene d pie .1. s ae emeh h d mm to hea movement of the h o s. 1,5 and. IE, to bomb, retaining positions and-09., vuentlyi further movement e l hehe ke e at- .5 thent te P2 tiens e-re uire t. t. nee sta y haw hew ter that the pawl 54 clear the end 53 of arm 5| and this is accomplished by providing a roller 96on the pawl which projects into a slot 91 in the adjacent casing wall as seen in Figure 4. Such slot has-an inclined edge 98 adapted to engage the roller when the pawl is moved sufiiciently and when such engagement occurs, the roller runs over such inclined edge and moves the pawl counterclockwise and out of engagement with the end 53 of the arm 5 I With the pawl now out of the way, the hooks are moved to their final positions.

Now in order to hold the hooks I5 and I6 and links 25 and 26 in the final positions shown in Figure 2, a pivoted holding member 99 is provided which is pivoted on a pin I in the casing and this holding member has a shoulder IOI engageable with a shoulder I02 formed on an arm I03 fastened to the spacing hub 21. The arm I03, as perhaps best shown by Figure 4, is limited in its downward movement as seen in this figure by a groove I04 in the arm engageable with the pin 58 extending through the links 25 and 26. The arm is resiliently urged into this position by a spring I05 shown in Figure 2 which has a portion I06 looped about the end of the arm I03, an intermediate portion coiled about pin 48 and an end I01 engaging a pin I08 connected to links 25 and 26. Arm 99 is normally urged into the position shown in Figure 2 by a spring Il0 looped about the pivot I00 and having one end II I engaging the lower side of the arm and its other end II2 fastened to the casing. The shoulder I02 cannot move to the right when arm 99 is in the position shown in Figure 2, but it can move into this "position due to the fact that spring I05 will allow the arm I03 to cam 0r pivot counterclockwise until it clears the shoulder IN and then shoulder I02 snaps downwardly to engage shoulder IOI.

From this description it should be understood that the pawl 54 will move arm 5| to cock the mechanism between arm 5I and solenoid 93 and then continued movement of links 25 and 26 will cause pawl 54 to ride over the end 53 of arm 5I. Further movement of the links after the cooking operation will cause the arm I03 to ride over the shoulder IOI of arm 99 until it can snap behind such shoulder and then the two hooks I5 and I6 and links 25 and 26 are prevented from returning. It should be noted at this point that the arm- 99 is locked against releasing or counterclockwise movement as shown in Figure 2 by the fact that an end portion II5 of the arm engages a roller II6 on pin II. It follows that if the pin 'II is moved to the right sufiiciently to allow arm 99 to move the weight of the bombs acting through the hooks and shoulder I02 will instantaneously throw arm 99 in a clockwise direction and both hooks I5 and I6 and links 25 and 26 will instantaneously move to the right to bomb releasing positions. The cocking and positioning mechanism having been described, it only remains so far as releasing is concerned, to provide a circuit to include solenoid 95 which when completed would cause the solenoid to swing pin 9| sufficiently to release the latch 86 or to provide a mechanical means for positively removing the rotary part of the solenoid.

Referring to Figure 2, mechanical means for releasing the latch includes a lever I20 pivoted on a pin I2I in the casing and having an end I22 extending through the casing wall for manual operation. The opposite end of the arm has a shoulder I23 engageable with a pin I24 which is slidable through a wall I25 in the casing. This "pin engages a shoulder I21 on a swingable lever -'I28 which is pivoted in the casing on a pin I29 seen in Figure 3. One end of lever I28 extends over a pin I30 on the solenoid rotor and consequently when the end I22 of arm I20 is pulled, the pin I24 swings lever I28 and will cause the solenoid rotor to move sufiiciently to release latch 86.

In general it should be understood now that the hooks are urged to open positions by spring 32 so that the hooks will always be ready to receive the bombs although the spring does assist in moving the hooks to release positions when the bombs are to be dropped particularly if small bombs are used. Loading of the bombs is effected by elevating them and causing the eyes thereon to enter the open hooks and guiding slots I9 and 20 in the casing walls so as to cause the eyes to press against the projections 36 on the hooks. As the hooks move counterclockwise by this procedure, the arm 5| is first moved to cook the latching roller II6 over arm 99 and it is to be observed that the arrangement permits using a long arm 5I and consequently considerable movement of its end 53 so as to reduce the cocking forces required while still securing that condition where instantaneous uncocking is attainable when the bomb is to be released. Then during the final movement of the hooks, they are locked automatically in position subject to release by displacement of roller H6 and this final movement is independent of the earlier cocking movement.

Attention is directed to the fact that the overall length of the shackle is only slightly greater than the distance required for positioning the hooks and that all parts are housed in a casing which is also narrow and shallow. Therefore, the space required for the shackle is practically at a minimum and this is manifestly important in airplanes. An important characteristic therefore is the compactness of the device.

Now referring to Figures 6, 'J, 18 the means for controlling the firing pins of the bombs includes a pair of solenoids I and I26 having pin armatures I21 and I28. These armatures will normally be retracted into the solenoid, but if the solenoids are energized, they will project upwardly as viewed in Figure 7. A cone shaped element I is provided on each solenoid around the armature and this cone shaped element terminates in a fiat face I3I above each solenoid. A slide I33 for each solenoid is mounted on the inner side of the casing wall by means of a slot I34 in the wall and a pin I35 connected to the slide and disposed in the slot. This slide has a slot I3I overlying the armature I21 and a depressed position I38 which, when moved over the face I3I of the solenoid, substantially contacts such face so as to hold a firing pin releasing device engaging the cone I30. Such pin releasing device on bombs may usually compose a wire ring such as shown at I39 which will fit over the cone I30 and this can be released when the depressed portion I38 of the slide is above moved upwardly as seen in Figure 6. If it is desired to hold the ring so that the pin will be pulled from the bomb, the solenoid can be energized so as to project the armature upwardly through the ring and then the latter will not be released.

A slide I33 is provided for each of the solenoids and they are spring pressed towards operative positions by means of a spring I40 looped at its center about a pin I4I located between the slides and having end loop positions I43 and I44 looped about the pins I35. The slides are positiveiy moved by'means of 'alever- I46 pivotedzon apinM'I in the casing and having an end pivotal-ly connected as indicated at I48 to the center portion of a head I49 having end portions I50 and :I'5I pressing against the pins I35. The head I49 is secured to the pin MI and the latter is slidable in a slot I52 in the casing wall and from this it follows that the head can move in-the same manner that the slides move. When the lever I46 is swung counterclockwise it will move the slides into operative relation with the solenoids and when the lever H36 is swung clockwise it will release the rings I39 unless the armatures project through the rings through intentional energizing of the solenoids.

The lever I45 has an end Hill for engaging a roller IGI on the hook extension 28 and'inwardly from the end, the lever has a cam portion I63.

The latter portion allows counterclockwise move- ,ment of the lever when the hooks swing counter- :clockwise and cause clockwise movement thereof when the hooks swing clockwise. encircling pin I l! on the lever and having one end engaging a fixed projection I66 on the casing and its other end hooked over the arm normally urges the lever counterclockwise.

While loading of the bombs will automatically move the slides I33 to retaining relation to rings I39 if the latter are in place, such'slides also may be shifted manually and independently if the .rings are to be inserted after the bombs are loaded which usually may be the case. Assuming that the bombs are loaded and the slides I33 are positioned as in Figure 18, each ring I39 may be' applied merely by pressing it against the edge of the depressed portion I 38 of the slide and moving the slide against the action of the spring 'end I43 until the ring engages the cone I30. Then the slide automatically returns to a position :over the ring.

The three solenoids 93, I and. I26 may be connected in suitable "circuits extending to any part of the plane so that the solenoids may be controlled as desired and the circuits may include contacts which are made and broken when the parts are moved so as to harmonize operations and also indicate to the operator what is occurring. Also, when the latch releasing solenoid is energized, the circuits may be arranged so that the pin releasing solenoids may be energized at thesame time.

Although only-one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be zapparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed-is:

1. A release assembly for a bomb including, in combination, a frame, spaced hook members pivoted on said frame for engaging and supporting abomb, a link pivotally interconnecting said hook members for forming an assembly which produces the operation of the hook members in synchronism, a pivotal latch on said assembly, a pivoted latch arm on said frame engageable with the latch on said assembly, a spring for urging said "ingiit in latch arm holding position, ;and,a sole- A spring I65 noid actuatedmechanism-for securingsaid second latch.

2. A ;r;elease assembly for a bomb including, in combination, a frame, spaced hook members pivoted on-said frame for engaging and supporting a bomb, alink pivotally interconnecting said hook members for forming an assembly which produces the operation of the hook members in synchronism, a pivotal latch on said assembly, alpivoted latch arm-on saidframe engageable with the latch on said assembly, a spring for ,urging said latch arm to latched position, an :arm pivoted on said frame for supportingan engaging element for the latch arm, a ,toggle mechanism for moving said element supporting arm to, the position for securing said latch arm, an arm on :said toggle mechanism projecting.

therefrom, a second latch engaging said toggle mechanism arm for-retaining it in latch arm holding position, a solenoid actuated mechanism for securing said second latch, -a resetting arm pivoted on said frame, and a pawlcarried by said assembly for actuating said resetting arm for resetting the toggle mechanism and securing said latch arm before said first latch on said assembly is moved into position to engage said latch arm. p

3. A release assembly for a bomb including, in combination, a frame, spaced hook members pivoted on said frame for engaging and supporting a bomb, a link pivotally interconnecting said hook members for forming an assembly which produces the operation of the hook members in synchronism, a pivotal latch on said assembly,

a'pivoted latch arm on said frame engageable with the latch on said assembly, a spring for urging said latch arm to latched position, an arm pivoted on said frame for supporting an engaging element for the latch arm, a toggle mechanism for moving said element supporting arm to the position for securing said latch arm, an armon said toggle mechanism projecting therefrom, a second latch engaging said toggle mechanism arm for retaining it in latch arm holding position, a solenoid actuated mechanism for securing said second latch, .a resetting arm pivoted on .said frame, a pawl carried by said assembly for actuating said resetting arm for 'resetting the toggle mechanism and-securing said latch arm before said first latch on said assembly -is moved into position to engage said latch arm, and means for-disengaging said pawl from said resetting arm after said second latch iseengaged by said solenoid actuated mechanism.

4. A release assembly for a bomb including, in combination, a frame, a pair of spaced hooks pivoted on said frame, a link interconnecting said hooks and formingan assemblyfor operating the hooks in synchronism, a latch pivoted on said assembly, a latch arm pivoted on said frame, a mechanism for supporting said latch arm in latchingrposition, a resetting arm pivoted to said frame for resetting said mechanism before said latch engages said latch arm, and .a

pawl carried bysaid assembly for operating said resetting arm and for releasing said resetting arm after the mechanism has been reset. 7

5. A release assembly for a bomb including, in combination, aframe, a pair of spaced hooks pivotedron said frame, :a-link interconnecting said hooksand forming an assembly for operating the hooks in synchronism, a latch pivoted onsaid assembly, a latch-arm pivoted .on said frame, ,a mechanism for supporting said latch arm ,in latching position, .a resetting arm pivoted to said frame for resetting said mechanism before said latch engages said latch arm, a pawl carried by said assembly for operating said resetting arm and for releasing said resetting arm after the mechanism has been reset, and a solenoid actuated device for retaining said mechanism in reset position and for releasing said mechanism when the solenoid i energized.

6. A release assembly for a bomb including, in combination, a frame, a pair of spaced hooks pivoted on said frame, a link interconnecting said hooks and forming an assembly for operating the hooks in synchronism, a latch pivoted on said assembly, a latch arm pivoted on said frame, a mechanism for supporting said latch arm in latching position, a resetting arm pivoted to said frame for resetting said mechanism before said latch engages said latch arm, a pawl carried by said assembly for operating said resetting arm and for releasing said resetting arm after the mechanism has been reset, a solenoid actuated device for retaining said mechanism in reset position and for releasing said mechanism when 10 the solenoid is energized a, manual cocking mech anism supported on said frame for actuating said assembly to bomb securing latched position, and a manual release mechanism supported by said frame for operating said solenoid actuated de-- vice for releasing said latch arm supporting mechanism.

ALBERT T. POTTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,283,151 Gledhill Oct. 29, 1918 1,880,122 Cooke Sept. 2'7, 1932 1,913,708 Fritcson June 13, 1933 2,286,100 Markey June 9, 1942' 2,416,028 Sloan Feb. 18, 1947 2,435,639 Stockton Feb. 10, 1948 2,453,870 Slate Nov. 16, 1948 2,473,597 Leland June 21, 1949 

